Raleigh, N.C. — Allison Reid, an English teacher at Heritage High School, was named Wake County Teacher of the Year during a banquet at the Raleigh Convention Center Thursday evening.

“I congratulate Allison Reid for being a teacher leader,” Wake schools Superintendent James Merrill said. “She introduces students to To Kill A Mockingbird's Atticus Finch, builds relationships that encourage her students to reward her with their learning and accepts challenges like teaching in her school’s new Game Art and Design Academy. We are happy to celebrate her success as a leader in our community.”

Reid, who has taught for eight years, has been an instructor for the Wake County Summer Institute for Teachers, helping educators learn how to integrate technology in their classrooms.

“Technology requires students to learn constructively and collaborate in ways that traditional methods of instruction do not,” she said on the district's website. “Leveraging technology promises answers to student engagement concerns, as well as concerns about preparing students for jobs that don’t even exist yet in the modern workforce.”

“Her students consistently use technology to capitalize on their different learning styles and demonstrate their understanding of concepts,” she said. “Ms. Reid recently created a lesson using an augmented app which required students to show connection between pop culture and the transcendentalist era of American literature.”

Teacher of the year candidates are nominated and elected by their peers. Candidates develop portfolios describing their careers and teaching philosophy. Selection committees review the portfolios and narrow the field to 26 semi-finalists, who are then observed in their classrooms. Each committee chooses one teacher to be among the 13 finalists, who are then interviewed by the teacher of the year interview committee. The committee then chooses the teacher of the year by secret ballot.

Reid will now represent the district in the state teacher of the year competition. As Wake teacher of the year, Reid receives:

• An engraved acrylic award• An Autobell Car Wash gift certificate• A $50 gift certificate to The Angus Barn• An overnight package for two at The Umstead Hotel and Spa• A travel cart filled with various classroom and office supplies • An Epson multifunction all-in-one printer• A check for $1,000• A $2,500 award toward participation in the Center for International Understanding's global study program

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Stan Chambers Jr.

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NC ReaderMay 9, 2014

Congratulations to Ms. Reid! There are so many wonderful public school teachers who should be getting a lot more recognition from the public for all that they do every day for the students and their families.

kimandwill89May 9, 2014

Congrats to one of my daughter's favorite teachers!

baldchipMay 9, 2014

God bless you Mrs. Reid. Thank you for giving so much for these young people.

Obamacare returns againMay 9, 2014

Congrats! Nice work Ms. Reid!

Joanne BatjerMay 9, 2014

grats lady

Riptide12May 9, 2014

Congratulations Ms. Reid! What a great honor. Heritage High is a great school and they are fortunate to have you on staff.

Greg BoopMay 9, 2014

Congrats to Allison Reid for being recognized in her leadership in education. Her use of technology in the classroom is certainly innovative, and her support for her students outstanding.

andreanicole686May 9, 2014

View quoted thread

not sure why it is important all these are in the news. While there are massive companies and other entities in the Triangle with people earning similar and even greater accolades for their accomplishments that are NOT in the news.

— Posted by LetsBeFair

Really? God forbid anyone get recognition. It's sad that when you see this that is your first thought process. This is also news because it is teacher appreciation week. Did you know there can be positive news stories? I know, very surprising.

lewiskr45May 9, 2014

View quoted thread

not sure why it is important all these are in the news. While there are massive companies and other entities in the Triangle with people earning similar and even greater accolades for their accomplishments that are NOT in the news.

— Posted by LetsBeFair

They do it just to annoy YOU

LetsBeFairMay 9, 2014

not sure why it is important all these are in the news. While there are massive companies and other entities in the Triangle with people earning similar and even greater accolades for their accomplishments that are NOT in the news.